William eli plested



- Patented se' t. 27,4 1898. w. E. PLEsTEm KEY FQR mmm catjbn. filed; Dec-n 13, :sem

(Ap li o Model.)

- -llll lll 'l WVILLIAM'ELI PLESTED, OF WATFORD, ENGLAND.

KEY FOR JOINTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 611,439, dated september 27, 1 898. Application filed December 13, 1897. Serial No. 661,652. (No model.]

. following is a Specification.

My invention relates to an improved key for miter and other joints, whereby a ready and efficient means is provided for drawing together and holding the pieces of material to be connected. It also has for its object the holding of the pieces of material joined in the desired plane or position.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures l and 2 are respectively front and side elevations, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section, of a simple form of key constructed according to my invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the same applied to the internal angle of a square joint. Figs 5, 6, 7, and 8 are similar views showing a modified form of my invention and its application to three pieces of material and connecting to a fourth.

The same letters of reference where they occur are used to denote the same or corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention consists,essentially,of a piece of metal or other suitable material one end, CL,

*of which is preferably pointed to admit of the ready insertion into the pieces' of material to be joined, the other end, 70, being formed for driving, and the edges of the key being provided with serrations Or equivalent parts. The metal may be fiat, as shown in the drawings, or may be bent longitudinally to form any desired angle.

Upon the longitudinal edges of the key, which approach one another as they near the driving end k, as shown in Fig. 1, are two or more projecting ribs divided into serrationsf. These ribs engage or enter the surface or the surfaces of slots,grooves,or saw-kerfs made in the pieces to be connected, and the taper of the ribs upon the key being driven draws together the pieces to be joined and also holds them securely in the desired position. The

ribs may be on one or both sides of the key and may also be of any number. The ribs may also rise to different heights above the shank or general surface of the key and may rise gradually from the surface of the key where they enter the materials to be joined.

The key may also have a central serrated or indented rib or ribs-such as h, Figs. 1, 3, and l-for the purpose of the better driving of the key along a groove or grooves previously cut in the materials to be joined more readily. These ribs, of whatever transverse section, may also be ourved in the direction of theirlength, gradually approaching the driving end. r

The key may be also indented or corrugated, so that the raised portions on each side may approach together toward the driving end, and thus draw together the materials to be joined, as previously described.

The end of the key may be turned up to suit the external shape of the materials joined and may also have holes formed in the piece or pieces so turned up for the purpose of additional fixing by means of pins, screws, nails, &0.

The key may also have additional branches with ribs in proportion to the number of pieces of material to be joined. These ribs maybe of any description hereinbefore described.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A key for securing mite-r or Other joints comprising a piece of metal having entering and driving ends and furnished With serrated or indented projecting ribs approaching One another and increasing in height from the entering end toward the driving end, Substantially as described.

2. A key for securing miter or other joints comprising a piece of metal having entering and driving ends and furnished with projecting ribs approaching one another toward the driving end and having a number of fianges Or branches, each with ribs, in proportion to the number of pieces of material to be joined substantially as described.

WILLIAM ELI PL'sTED.

Witnesses:

PERCY E. MATTooKs, WM. 0. BBOWNn 

